New routes, new seats, and aircraft changes may mean good to wide-open availability for a short time. Take advantage of the opportunities while they last.
This Month: Time to Burn Points (Amex or Starwood) or Miles (Delta or Lufthansa) Between U.S. and Europe
New Route Opportunity: Los Angeles-London starts Oct. 26.
Easy Connections From: Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and many other U.S. cities.
Fly Beyond London: European destinations like Milan, Munich, Paris and countless others can often be tacked on to a Business Class award for free. Asian destinations such as Delhi cost only 15,000 more miles. Explore destinations.
How to Nail It (Round-Trip / Business Class):
Delta SkyMiles: 125,000. Request award space.
Amex Rewards Points Transfer: 125,000.
Amex Rewards Points Purchase: Cost is 2.5¢ per point. Get Business Class for $3,125. The published fare starts at $3,934 and can run as high as $16,819.
Starwood Points Transfer: 100,000.
Survey of Award Availability on Delta for One Traveler in Business Class: Los Angeles - London
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With Alitalia Miles (a Delta partner): Even better: 100,000 miles. Request award space.
Amex Rewards Points (Transferred to Alitalia): 100,000.
Starwood Points (Transferred to Alitalia): 80,000.
Seasonal Route Opportunity: Miami-Munich starts Dec. 2 and ends April 30.
Easy Connections From: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Orlando and many other U.S. cities.
Fly Beyond Munich: Amsterdam, London, Zurich and many other cities can be tacked on to a Business or First Class award—free. African destinations, such as Johannesburg, cost 80,000 more miles in Business and 120,000 miles more in First Class. Explore destinations.
How to Nail It (Round-Trip):
Lufthansa Miles & More: 105,000 in Business Class, 170,000 in First. Request award space.
Starwood Points Transfer: 85,000 for Business Class, 140,000 for First.
Survey of Award Availability on Lufthansa for One Traveler: Miami - Munich
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With All Nippon Miles (a Lufthansa partner): Even better: only 85,000 for Business Class, 120,000 for First. Request award space.
Amex Rewards Points (Transferred to All Nippon): 85,000 for Business, 120,000 for First Class.
Amex Rewards Points Purchase: Cost is 2.5¢ per point. Get a Business Class ticket for $2,125 (plus about $950 in taxes). The published fare is $4,877.